Deployable sensor apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for gathering data from a subsurface formation. A shell is utilized having a chamber therein, and being adapted for sustaining forcible propulsion into the subsurface formation. A data sensor is disposed within the chamber of the shell. The shell has a first port therein for communicating properties of a fluid present in the subsurface formation to the data sensor when the apparatus is positioned in the subsurface formation, whereby the data sensor senses at least one of the properties of the fluid.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An apparatus for gathering data from a subsurface formation, comprising: 
       a shell having a chamber therein and adapted for sustaining forcible propulsion into a subsurface formation from a wellbore;  
       a data sensor disposed within the chamber of said shell;  
       said shell having a first port therein for communicating properties of a fluid present in the subsurface formation to said data sensor when said apparatus is positioned in the subsurface formation, whereby said data sensor senses at least one of the properties of the fluid; and  
       an antenna disposed within said chamber for transmitting signals representative of the fluid property sensed by said data sensor.  
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein said data sensor is carried within a capsule disposed within the chamber of said shell. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein said shell is substantially bullet-shaped. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein said shell includes a nose section substantially constructed of a first material and a rear section substantially constructed of a second material. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim  4 , wherein the first material is a tungsten alloy. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim  4 , wherein the second material is a zirconia-based ceramic. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein said antenna is also capable of receiving signals from a remote source to activate said data sensor. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein said antenna is disposed in a rear portion of the chamber and said data sensor is disposed in a forward portion of said chamber. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim  2 , wherein 
       said shell is split along a first plane perpendicular to its longitudinal axis into a nose section and a rear section each having opposing cavities that cooperate to form the chamber in said shell when the nose and rear sections are connected; and  
       said capsule extends from the chamber in the nose section into the chamber in the rear section, whereby said capsule spans the first plane and integrates the nose and rear sections of said shell.  
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim  9 , wherein said capsule is split along a second plane that includes said capsule's longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim  9 , wherein said antenna is disposed behind said capsule in the chamber in the rear section of said shell for transmitting signals representative of the property sensed by said data sensor. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim  2 , wherein said capsule has a second port therein and said capsule is disposed within the chamber of said shell so as to position the second port adjacent the first port, enabling communication of the formation fluid properties through the first and second ports to said data sensor when said apparatus is positioned in the subsurface formation. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the data sensor is adapted for sensing formation pressure. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim  13 , further comprising a second data sensor disposed within the chamber of said shell for sensing formation temperature. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus for remotely deploying a sensor into a subsurface formation for gathering data from the formation, comprising: 
       a shell having a chamber therein and adapted for sustaining forcible propulsion into a subsurface formation from a wellbore;  
       said shell having a first port therein for communicating properties of a fluid present in the subsurface formation to the chamber, whereby a sensor disposed in said chamber could sense at least one of the properties of the fluid; and  
       an antenna disposed within said chamber for transmitting signals representative of the fluid property sensed by a data sensor disposed in said chamber.  
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim  15 , wherein said shell is adapted for sustaining g-forces of at least 85,000 g's during deployment of the apparatus along its longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim  15 , further comprising a capsule disposed within the chamber of said shell, said capsule having a sensor carried therein for sensing at least one of the properties of the formation. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim  17 , wherein said capsule is at least partially constructed of a titanium alloy. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of claim  17 , wherein 
       said shell is split along a first plane perpendicular to its longitudinal axis into a nose section and a rear section each having opposing cavities that cooperate to form the chamber in said shell when the nose and rear sections are connected; and  
       said capsule extends from the chamber in the nose section into the chamber in the rear section, whereby said capsule spans the first plane and integrates the nose and rear sections of said shell.  
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim  19 , wherein the nose section of said shell is substantially constructed of a tungsten alloy. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of claim  19 , wherein the rear section of said shell is adapted for protecting components disposed within the chamber in said shell from high temperatures and pressures encountered during deployment of the apparatus. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim  21 , wherein the rear section of said shell is substantially constructed of a zirconia-based ceramic. 
     
     
       23. A method of determining a property of a subsurface formation, comprising the steps of: 
       equipping a shell with a sensor for indicating a property of a subsurface formation and an antenna for transmitting a signal representative of the sensor-indicated property, the shell having a port therein for communicating properties of the fluid present in the subsurface formation to the sensor when the shell is inserted into the subsurface formation;  
       positioning the shell within a downhole tool disposed in a wellbore penetrating the subsurface formation;  
       applying force from the downhole tool to move the shell from the downhole tool into the subsurface formation;  
       sensing a formation property with the sensor; and  
       transmitting a signal representative of the formation property with the antenna.  
     
     
       24. A method of determining a property of a subsurface formation, comprising the steps of: 
       equipping a substantially bullet-shaped shell with a sensor for indicating a property of a subsurface formation, a receiver for receiving remotely transmitted signals, and a transmitter for transmitting a signal representative of the sensor-indicated property, the shell having a port therein for communicating properties of the fluid present in the subsurface formation to the sensor when the shell is inserted into the subsurface formation;  
       positioning the shell within a drill string disposed in a wellbore penetrating the subsurface formation;  
       applying force from the drill string to move the shell from the drill string into the subsurface formation;  
       activating the sensor with a remote signal transmitted to the receiver;  
       sensing a formation property with the sensor; and  
       transmitting a signal representative of the formation property with the transmitting means.  
     
     
       25. The method of claim  24 , wherein the force applied to the shell is an ignition-induced propulsive force. 
     
     
       26. The method of claim  25 , wherein the force applied to the shell is substantially a mechanical force.